UK to Urge Full Reopening of Strait of Hormuz

On Thursday, Yvette Cooper, the UK’s foreign secretary, will advocate for the Strait of Hormuz to be completely reopened following warnings from Iran’s navy that vessels in the Gulf could face assault without prior authorization. This action comes as the country seeks to address disruptions to global energy flows and mitigate rising costs for British consumers.

Lebanon’s Role in Ceasefire Talks

In her annual address on UK foreign policy, Cooper will also propose that Lebanon be integrated into the US and Israel’s ceasefire agreement with Iran. While the UK did not join the military strike against Iran, its ministers are eager to use diplomatic leverage to restore the critical shipping passage blocked by Tehran. The goal is to ensure unhindered transit for international maritime traffic, which has been affected by Iran’s recent demands for tolls.

“There is considerable work to do and we support the negotiations,” Cooper will say, emphasizing that the conflict must not resume. She will argue that the Strait of Hormuz must be reopened as its deliberate closure is harming British citizens, despite the distance of over 3,000 miles.

Cooper will stress that the strait is an international maritime route, essential for global trade, and that closing it violates the core tenets of the law of the sea. “No country can block these routes – it goes against the fundamental principles of the law of the sea,” she will add. The foreign secretary will also visit the International Maritime Organization to affirm its efforts in aiding ships and seafarers trapped in the waterway.

Regional Cooperation and Global Impact

Last week, the UK led discussions with over 40 nations on strategies to clear the Strait of Hormuz, with consensus that ending the conflict was essential. Cooper highlighted that Iran had effectively “hijacked” the international shipping route to “hold the global economy hostage” after a virtual summit where the US was not involved. This disruption has driven up food and petrol prices in the UK, with Cooper stating the war has impacted “every country on every continent.”

The US has criticized allies for not doing enough to secure the shipping lane or back its military campaign, forcing nations like the UK to weigh their contributions without entering the broader conflict. Iran has attacked several vessels in response, affecting energy exports and pushing global fuel prices higher. Before the ceasefire announcement on Wednesday, former US President Donald Trump claimed it was up to other countries to “gather delayed courage” and ensure the strait’s reopening.